Several Northshore law enforcement agencies came together to announce a new effort to help combat the drug problem in the community with help for addicts.

The Covington Police Department made the announcement at a news conference Monday morning at its Justice Center.

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Police Department leaders were joined by officials from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, the Mandeville Police Department, the Madisonville Police Department, the Folsom Police Department, the Slidell Police Department, the Pearl River Police Department, the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney's Office and the St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office.

Covington Police Chief Timothy Lentz said the program, Operation Angel, allows people suffering from addiction to appear at any police department or sheriff's office and ask for help. Operation Angel is modeled after a similar program in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

"Throughout my career I have watched the devastation that occurs when individuals become addicted to drugs. This addiction has ranged from cocaine to alcohol," Lentz said. "Our profession seemed to address those suffering from addiction by arresting them and placing them in jail. We believe it is time to change the way we do business."

Lentz said the law enforcement agencies want drug addicts to receive the help they need, instead of handcuffs. He said he wants to get rid of the stigma that keeps people from seeking treatment for addiction.

Operation Angel will give drug addicts the help they need in St. Tammany Parish. Lentz said all drug addicts will need to do is surrender any drugs or paraphernalia without fear of being arrested. The individual will then be paired with an "angel" to guide them through the recovery process.

"We encourage you to seek help. You will not be charged with a crime, we will not ask where you got the drugs from. We will connect you with programs that will give you the help you need," Lentz said.

Lentz said Monday afternoon that a 38-year-old man came to the Police Department after hearing about the new program to receive help. The man has been addicted to heroin for the last 10 years and will head to Lacombe to begin recovery.

“Up until today, you were punished before you were helped,” criminal defense lawyer Buddy Spell said Monday. Spell is also a recovering alcoholic and drug addict.

“Criminalizing addiction doesn't help users recover. There's nothing worse than wanting to quit drinking, and not being able to,” Spell said, adding that Operation Angel is a drug rehab program that’s long overdue in St Tammany Parish.

“These people didn't get here on purpose. Most of them are good people that have a bad disease, which leads them to poor judgement making,” Spell said.

St. Tammany Parish officials say they hope Operation Angel will help eliminate the stigma of addiction, and encourage people to get help, without the fear of ending up in jail.

“Addiction is a mental health disease, and it's a really important that we stop viewing it as a criminal behavior, and view it as a manifestation of a disease process,” St. Tammany Coroner, Dr. Charles Preston said.

“Don't be ashamed of your illness. We're not ashamed of you. It's time. Come and get help. And if you're discouraged, because you've tried before, know that relapse is a part of the disease, and we will be there again, and again, and again until you make it,” Lentz said.

Drug users who turn themselves in for help, will be sent to either the New Orleans Mission or the Giving Hope Retreat in LaCombe for treatment.

Officials stress that this a program for drug users, and those who have been previously convicted of distributing, will not be eligible.

“Anybody who's dealing drugs in this parish to our citizens, will not only be arrested, but prosecuted to the fullest. This is a program for users,” Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith said.

“We're committed to the idea of attacking the demand, rather than attacking the supply,” Lentz said.

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